UN to investigate alleged human rights abuses in Libya News
UN to investigate alleged human rights abuses in Libya
Photo source or description

[JURIST] The UN announced Friday that investigators would enter Libya next week to begin looking into alleged human rights abuses by both rebels and the armed forces of leader Muammar Gaddafi [BBC profile; JURIST news archive]. The inquiry into the conditions in Libya had been approved by a unanimous vote [JURIST report] of members of the UN Human Rights Council on February 25. The three-person team will be led by Cherif Bassiouni [official profile], who indicated that Libyan officials know that the investigative team will be arriving in Libya [Reuters report] next week. The panel will cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) [official website], which last month opened its own investigation [JURIST report] into alleged abuses in Libya.

The eruption of violence in Libya has sparked outrage over alleged abuses by Gaddafi’s forces and controversy regarding the proper role of other nations in Libyan affairs. Last month, the ICC’s chief prosecutor announced that Libyan officials could face war crimes charges [JURIST report] for attacks on civilians. Earlier in the month, the UN Human Rights Council voted to suspend Libya, which had been a member of that body. With regard to NATO military activity, commentators have argued that military intervention in Libya is contrary to international law [JURIST op-ed]. In the US, one lawmaker proposed legislation that would immediately halt US activities [JURIST report] in enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya, stating that President Barack Obama lacked authority to utilize American forces for that role.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Justice Department brings anit-trust action against AT&T

On November 20, 1974, the Department of Justice filed its final anti-trust suit against AT&T. United States v. AT&T was ultimately settled out of court with an agreement that the corporation would break up its monopoly on phone service throughout the country.

Nuremberg war crimes trials began

On November 20, 1945, the war crimes trials of Nazi World War II leaders began in the German city of Nuremberg. Review the Nuremberg Tribunal's Charter and the verdicts and sentences handed down on major war figures.

Winston Churchill born

On November 20, 1874, Sir Winston Churchill was born in Woodstock, England. He would go on to lead the United Kingdom as Prime Minister through World War II. Toward the end of the war, Churchill worked with US President Franklin D. Roosevelt to craft the treaties and accords that have defined the world since WWII. A 2002 poll by the BBC declared Churchill the Greatest Briton of all time.

New Jersey ratifies Bill of Rights

New Jersey ratified the Bill of Rights, a set of 10 fundamental amendments to the US Constitution, on November 20, 1789, becoming the first state to do so. The state also ratified an amendment on federal representation which ultimately failed. Additionally, New Jersey rejected an amendment on congressional salaries, which would eventually become the 27th Amendment more than 200 years later. Read the articles ratified by New Jersey.